Your Poppy Fund at Work
Poppy Chair Simon Lavellee and Co-Chair Pamela Bergeron present $ 2,500.00 to Rhonda Simpson, Fund Raising Manager to replace a Cuddle Mattress and Bolsters at the Carefor Hospice in Cornwall.
Recognizing one of Our Own
Peer Support That Makes a Difference – Long Sault Legion’s Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Buddy Check Leads the Way
At a time when veteran mental health and camaraderie are more important than ever, the OSI Buddy Check program at the Long Sault Legion has become a national model for peer-led support. Under the dedicated leadership of Royal Canadian Air Force Veteran and Long Sault Legion member Ken Stephens, this initiative has grown into one of the most successful and impactful Buddy Check efforts in the country.
Operating under the sponsorship of the Royal Canadian Legion’s OSI peer-support programs, Buddy Check provides a simple yet powerful space for Veterans to connect, share stories, and support one another in a relaxed, non-clinical environment. The essence of the program is straightforward, Veterans meet regularly over coffee, laughter, conversation, and common understanding, reinforcing the bonds of fellowship that can transform lives.
What sets the Long Sault Legion’s Buddy Check apart is not just its consistency, but the level of engagement and community connection it fosters. Veteran’s from all over Eastern Ontario regularly attend the Long Sault Legion’s edition the 4rd Wednesday of each month from 1000-1200. Thanks to Ken’s leadership, Veterans in the region have a welcoming and reliable place to gather, feel understood, and support their peers in an environment built on shared experience. Ken’s dedication has not gone unnoticed, with many Veteran’s expressing that these gatherings have rekindled a sense of belonging and eased the isolation that many Veterans feel after service.
While Buddy Check Coffee programs are spreading across the country through Legion branches, the Long Sault Legion stands out as a hallmark example of how peer support can be delivered at its best, inviting, Veteran-driven, and deeply impactful. The success in Long Sault demonstrates the power of community-based initiatives in breaking down barriers to connect and extend a hand of support where it’s needed most.
2025 Poster Contest Winners
We would like to congratulate these three students for winning the poster contest for St. Andrew’s Catholic School – Intermediate Category Grades 7,8, and 9. The winning posters came from Omar Shareef (third place), Kaleb Piquette (second place) and Chloe Gorospe (first place). Chloe’s poster has been forwarded to the Legion’s Provincial level contests. We would like to thank each student who participated in our poster contest this year. More information on the Remembrance Contests can be found at: https://www.remembrancecontests.ca/
2025 Poster Contest Winners
We would like to congratulate these three students for winning the Sharing Remembrance through visual art poster contest for Our Lady of Good Counsel School – Junior Category Grades 4,5, and 6. The winning posters came from Maya Stewart (third place), Mollie Thorne (second place) and Lincoln Morson (first place). The winners from the Intermediate Category Grades 7,8, and 9 are Hannah Goss (third place), Jackson Mayer (second place) and Jack Lemire (first place). Lincoln and Jack’s posters have been forwarded to the Legion’s Provincial level contests. We would like to thank each student who participated in our poster contest this year. More information on the Remembrance Contests can be found at: https://www.remembrancecontests.ca/
2025 Poster Contest Winners
We would like to congratulate these three students for winning the poster contest for Rothwell - Osnabruck School – Junior Category Grades 4,5, and 6. The winning posters came from Mario Gervais (third place), Kalea Young (second place) and Hudson Browsky (first place). Hudson’s poster has been forwarded to the Legion’s Provincial level contests. We would like to thank each student who participated in our poster contest this year. More information on the Remembrance Contests can be found at: https://www.remembrancecontests.ca/
2025 Poppy Campaign Results
Congratulations, again we have completed our successful Poppy Campaign in South Stormont Township.
With a shortened campaign this year our goal was $12,000.00 and through the generosity of the residents, local businesses and our dedicated volunteer canvassers, including significant participation from the local cadet organizations, we received $13,398.35 – well done! A more detailed financial summary will follow at year end.
We would also like to thank and acknowledge the township of South Stormont, the local schools, area service clubs, and other organizations for their generous donations every year.
A special thank you goes out to those who worked behind the scenes preparing and delivering the poppy boxes you saw in local businesses, organizing the volunteer canvassers, counting donations and all the administration that goes with executing a successful campaign. Without these folks this would not happen.
As your Poppy Fund Chair for the past 8 years, I am continually amazed by the giving spirit in our community and the respect the community shows for the Poppy Fund and the remembrance it represents.
I would also like to mention that our Royal Canadian Legion, Annual Poster Contest in local schools is well under way so stay tuned for these results.
Thank You Again,
Simon Lavallée
Poppy Chair 2025 & Youth Education Chair